cover image Deadly Shores: Destroyermen, Book 9

Deadly Shores: Destroyermen, Book 9

Taylor Anderson. Roc, $26.95 (464p) ISBN 978-0-451-46566-5

Anderson continues the dramatic saga of WWII-era humans transported to an alternate, dinosaur-populated Earth. Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Reddy leads a “Grand Alliance” of Americans and Brits with native felinoid Lemurians against the reptilian Grik, who are aided by stranded Japanese sailors. The Lemurian coalition must also tackle the human religious fanatics of the Aztec and Catholic Holy Dominion, stretching the now “world” war from the foothills of the Andes to the shores of Madagascar. As Reddy struggles with separation of military and civil authority, the Grik discover the concepts of honor and friendship. While expanding his universe with yet more mysterious arrivals and dangerous creatures, Anderson focuses clearly on the action at the heart of the war, bookending his narrative with two intense, if melodramatic, battles by land, sea, and air. As the Alliance carries the fight into enemy territory, Anderson deftly sketches in the political fighting on the home front. This capable sequel to Storm Surge will continue to keep series fans engaged. (May)